You've taken off work, got your bags all packed, and you're ready to start your Topsail Island beach vacation! But not so fast. You may be forgetting one super-important thing... sunscreen! Today's blog will teach you everything you need to know about sunscreen and why your skin needs this essential protection. 

Did you know that your bodies largest organ is (drumroll please!)... your SKIN! Think about all the hard work your skin does every single day. It protects your muscles, blood vessels, and internal organs! That's a lot of work and although your skin is super tough and resilient, it is not superhuman. 

Although a little sunlight and Vitamin D is great for everyone, you have to be cautious. The sun produces harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that penetrate the skin and can cause skin lesions and cancers. Enter sunscreen. Sunscreen is specially formulated to block the suns UV rays from penetrating your skin, thus reducing the risk of lesions and cancers. An added benefit? Sunscreen helps prevent unsightly wrinkles and sunspots as well! 

Special chemicals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide work together in sunscreen to absorb and deflect the UV rays away from your skin. Most sunscreens are similar in composition; however, you may have specific needs that lean you towards one sunscreen over another. Do you have small children? Will the sunscreen be applied to your face? Do you prefer organic ingredients? All of these points are worth considering when it comes to choosing the right sunscreen for your family. 

We're all familiar with the term SPF, but you may not know exactly what that means. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and the number, like SPF 50, means when you wear that sunscreen, your skin is 50 times more protected against the suns UV rays versus with no sunscreen at all.

Most doctors and researchers agree that everyone should wear at least SPF 15 every single day, regardless of whether they are directly in the sun. If you are going outdoors, it is recommended to wear at least SPF 30. 

How often should you apply sunscreen and how much? It is recommended that you apply a shot-glass size amount of sunscreen over your whole body 30 minutes before going outside, then reapplying every two hours. If you have been in the water, you should reapply upon exiting the water for maximum protection.

While sunscreen is a fantastic way to help protect your skin against UV rays, it is not total protection. You should still wear sunglasses, a hat (preferably with a large brim), and appropriate clothing to cover your skin when practical. 

You may be thinking all of this seems a bit over-the-top, but it's really no big deal and totally worth it to protect your one and only skin!

Now that you're a sunscreen expert, but that knowledge to good use and come enjoy one of our Topsail Island beach rentals! We have a wonderful selection, perfect for almost any needs and budget.